The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) recently awarded communities approximately $5.1 million statewide in Level Three Direct Current Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Grant Program grants.
The funds were distributed in the federal American Rescue Plan Act and are for the planning, engineering services, design, and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The EVCS program prioritizes rural locations and low- and moderate-income areas to alleviate economic and racial disparities.
To qualify for funding, EV charging infrastructure must be installed along a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor. NMDOT identified the corridors in August.
Awardees can use the funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure on public roads, publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity, or in other publicly accessible locations such as public parks.
“Every application was taken into careful consideration with the goal of supporting the development and growth of electric vehicle charging stations and alternative fuel infrastructure statewide, no matter how rural the location,” New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said. “In the end, 32 locations were selected in the first round of selections.”
Interested applicants submitted proposals to the NMDOT. Submissions were required to identify equity, cost-effectiveness, operation, and maintenance of the EVCS.